Earl Derr Biggers

“ It was almost too good to be true. Too easy. A bright lad, this Mikklesen; but not too bright for young Mr. Hammond, the peerless detective. For Bill knew where the dollar was now!
He must have a word with Jim Batchelor before he staged his big scene. He tiptoed down the passage and knocked at the millionaire's door. Batchelor called an invitation to enter, and when he did so he was glad to find that Sally also was in the room. She was tying Batchelor's dress tie, for she was a faithful daughter and didn't like Tatu's work as a valet. Her father broke from her ministrations at sight of Bill. ”

“ For a moment Mikklesen stood regarding him.
“Oh, very well,” he said, “come along.”
He led the way below and Bill followed close, determined to miss nothing now. When they reached the Englishman's cabin Mikklesen took a bunch of keys from his pocket. Bill Hammond tried not to look too interested.
“I keep my bag locked,” Mikklesen explained. “Things disappearing right and left, you know.”
“It's the only safe thing to do,” Bill agreed.
The Englishman bent over his bag.
“Look there!” he cried.
Bill looked. The lock on Mikklesen's bag had been smashed to bits. ”

“ Sally smiled.
“Well, she will insist on crossing her bridge after she's got well over it. There are people like that.”
“You were good to play, Bill,” Sally said.
“Yes, but I didn't play so good, and I wasted a lot of time when I should have been sleuthing.”
“Has anything happened?” she inquired.
“I should say it has. It was a big afternoon up to the moment I met your aunt.” He told her of Simon's message and the accident to Mikklesen's bag. “Things are moving,” he added.
“They seem to be,” she admitted. “What are you going to do now?” ”

“ Bill told him. “I just dropped in to lay my wires for a little scene after dinner tonight. Sally, I'm glad you're here. After the coffee you're to take your aunt and Mrs. Keith from the dining saloon and leave us men alone.” ”

“ Simon wirelessed. “Have investigated by cable. A little black sheep who's gone astray. Kicked out of the English colony in Yokohama because they didn't like his shirts.”
His shirts! Oh, lady luck!
“Anything important?” inquired Mikklesen.
“Not at all,” said Bill. “Go on, please. You were saying——”
Mikklesen went on, but Bill no longer listened. The interview was cold, but the quest of the dollar was warming up. His shirts! They didn't like his shirts. Well, that might mean much or little; but Mikklesen's shirts certainly must be looked into. ”